Women's yoga: what is it?

Our lifestyles and the stress induced by them drive many women to perform, compete and live each day with the same intensity. Yet the female body is governed by cycles, and if we learn to be attentive to them and respect their rhythm, we discover untapped potential and unsuspected harmony.

What kind of yoga? How do I choose my yoga?

There are different types of yoga:

• Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a type of yoga in which the postures are held for much longer than in dynamic yogas. Maintaining the postures allows great concentration and access to relaxation.

• Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga involves relaxation and meditation techniques. It's a powerful type of yoga that combines breathing and bodywork.

• Iyengar yoga

Iyengar yoga is a modern form of yoga, based on a much more thorough practice of asana and pranayama postures. The benefits are numerous, including relief from back pain, improved digestion and blood circulation, and more general support for the functioning of all the organs.

• Yoga Asthanga

Asthanga is a traditional, dynamic form of yoga. It is similar to vinyasa yoga in its dynamic, fluid and athletic aspect.

• Vinyasa yoga

The principle of vinyasa yoga is to synchronize fluid, dynamic movements with the breath. It's a creative type of yoga, where each teacher can compose his or her own flow (= sequence of movements and postures).

• Bikram yoga

Bikram yoga is a type of hot yoga, as it uses heat to strengthen and soften the body. It's a contemporary form of yoga.

• Yin yoga

Yin yoga is gentle, with the mind at the center of the practice. Positions are held for long periods, and the aim is not to strengthen the muscles, but to work on the meridians and the acceptance of thoughts.

• Restorative yoga

The main aim of restorative yoga is to let go and achieve total relaxation, both muscular and physical, and mental.

• Prenatal yoga

As its name suggests, prenatal yoga has been specially designed for pregnant women. As such, the postures are specially adapted. Prenatal yoga consists mainly of breathing exercises, meditation and visualization.

• Anusara yoga

Anusara yoga is based on the principles of alignment: with muscular energy, organic energy, the outer spiral, the inner spiral and openness to grace.

• Jivamukti yoga

Jivamukti yoga is a type of yoga based on chanting, bodywork, breathing and music.

Each practice has its own specificity, with more or less intense physical effort, different postures and movements. But apart from all these practices, have you heard of women's yoga?
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What are the characteristics of women's yoga?

Women's yoga is a blend of different yogas: Hatha, Yin, hormonal yoga and facial yoga.
It combines both dynamic and restorative practices, as well as various breathing and energy circulation techniques based on Tibetan practices.
Dynamic postures derived from Hatha Yoga mobilize the body and joints as a whole, enhancing mobility and flexibility while respecting each individual's anatomical specificities.
By alternating with Yin postures, we can also work on the deeper levels of the body (fascia, tendons, ligaments, etc.) while awakening awareness of bodily sensations. In this way, you learn to listen to your body, appreciate what makes it unique and understand what it needs.
This blend of yin and yang asanas is combined with targeted breathing work. Dynamic breathing stimulates the various female hormonal centers (hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, ovaries), helping the body to regulate hormone production by reducing the major discrepancies that can arise between these different productions. During menstruation, pregnancy, advanced endometriosis, hormone-dependent cancer or fibroids > 5cm, this breathing is replaced by deep breathing. Energy circulation (apnea breathing work, including mobilization of the perineum) enables us to redistribute the energy awakened by these breaths to targeted areas, bringing relaxation and well-being.
Facial yoga completes the picture: self-massages, acupressure points and exercises to strengthen certain facial muscles are all part of this practice, bringing dynamism and decongestion to restore a soothed face and baby-smooth skin!

What are the benefits of women's yoga?

Women's yoga can be practised by absolutely all women, at all stages of their lives! The female body undergoes many changes throughout life (menstruation and PMS, pregnancy, contraception, menopause, etc.), but sometimes pathologies such as hyperthyroidism, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome are added to the mix. It can then be very hard to live in this body and be at peace with it. Yoga has many benefits.n addition to its physical and mechanical effects, it is also a gateway to reconnecting with the body and rediscovering the pleasure of living with it. It allows us to find the energetic balance that makes us feel aligned and serene.
In short, women's yoga is a real moment of gentleness, a bubble of well-being and relaxation that helps you rediscover energy, vitality and joy, in body and mind! So, what are we waiting for?

Article written by Elodie Deforges

@elodie_yoga_au_feminin on Instagram.